Acrypol is a brand that produces waterproofing sealers commonly used over construction surfaces to create protective and weather-resistant barriers.
You can’t paint directly over Acrypol sealer finish as the sealer has a waterproofing layer that prevents paint penetration or adhesion. You must remove the sealer’s top layer and apply primer before applying paint.
To paint over acrypol, remove the Acrypol finish top layer, apply primer, apply paint, and seal the finish.
Can You Paint Over Acrypol?
You can’t paint over Acrypol finish directly as the sealer has a waterproof finish that prevents paint penetration or adhesion. You must sand the sealer to remove its top layer and apply a primer coating before applying paint.
Acrypol is a waterproof sealer formulated with resins and additives that prevent paint penetration. Since paint can’t penetrate the sealer finish, it won’t adhere and will peel off if applied.
You must either sand the acrypol top layer and apply primer or remove the entire finish before applying the paint.
How Long Must Acrypol Dry Before Painting?
Acrypol must dry between 2-3 days before painting over it as the coating must be hard (rigid) enough to withstand sanding.
If you sand Acrypol too soon, the finish turns sticky (or tacky), the sandpaper clogs, and the entire finish gets contaminated and peels off. To avoid a messy paint finish, wait until the sealer coating dries properly before sanding.
To know if Acrypol is dry enough for sanding or painting over, touch the surface texture. The sealer has dried and you can sand it if the texture feels hard or rigid.
How To Paint Over Acrypol?
To paint over Acrypol, do the following things.
- Remove the Acrypol Finish Top Layer.
- Apply Primer.
- Apply Paint.
- Seal the Finish.
Note: You can’t paint directly over Acrypol — you must remove its top layer first.
The tools you need for this project are listed below.
- Sandpaper (Medium and fine grit)
- Paintbrushes
- Kilz 2 primer
- Paint
- A pair of gloves
- A portable vacuum
- Waterproof sealer
- A palm or orbital sander (for large surfaces like a roof)
1. Remove the Acrypol Finish Top Layer
Remove the acrypol finish top layer by using medium-grit sandpaper (100-grit). The sandpaper will gradually wear off the finish top layer. Clean the surface and remove the dust after sanding.
You can remove the entire Acrypol finish with a paint-stripping paste. Apply the paint-stripping paste over the finish, wait 20 minutes, and scrape the paste compound and sealer finish with a scraper. Ensure to clean and remove the paint-stripper compound residue from the surface.
2. Apply Primer
Apply 1-2 Kilz 2 primer coat over the Acrypol finish. The primer coating covers the waterproof acrypol layer and surface imperfections and creates a textured finish that the new paint can penetrate and adhere to.
The paint will penetrate and adhere to the primer coating instead of the waterproof Acrypol finish.
3. Apply Paint
Apply 2-3 paint coats over the primed Acrypol finish. Wait until one coat dries before applying the next one.
The paint type you use depends on the surface type. Use water-based paint for indoor surfaces and exterior oil-based paint for outdoor surfaces.
4. Seal the Finish
Seal the paint finish with an exterior sealer, such as polyurethane, varnish, or Acrypol. Since Acrypol sealer is mostly applied over roofing surfaces, sealing the new paint finish is necessary as paint can’t withstand weather elements.
A sealer coating produces a moisture-resistant layer that protects the underlying surface from moisture, water, scratches, and weather elements.
How Long Does Paint Last Over Acrypol?
Paint lasts between 5-7 years over an Acrypol finish if applied correctly and properly sealed.
If the Acrypol top layer is correctly removed, the paint coating has adhered properly over it, and the paint finish is properly sealed, the finish lasts long.
You can occasionally retouch the finish by applying an extra sealer coating every 2-3 years to help it last longer.
If the paint finish doesn’t adhere properly over the Acrypol finish and isn’t sealed, the finish won’t last long.
